It’s Autumn Sunday morning and I am sitting in a cozy home in Dublin, looking at the cloudy sky outside the window and … missing Bolivia! I knew that sooner or later it would happen, because as they say in Poland: ‘It’s always better were we are not’ :) So while remembering MY colorful and sunny Bolivia, listening to vivid music of my favourite Bolivian band Los Kjarkas – I compiled the subjective list of my favorite places in this Andean – Amazonian country, which maybe will inspire you too?So here we go!

Both cities can not be overlooked while traveling to Bolivia – to Santa Cruz we will fly straight from Madrid, and from Cochabamba we would drive to Torotoro! But it’s worth to stay there longer because they are an excellent example of how diverse is Bolivia, not only in terms of climate, architecture, traditions, cuisine, accent (language)!

After visiting the lovingly restored old town of Santa Cruz, it is worth a trip to thePorongo. This sleepy yet charming town, situated less than 15 km from Santa Cruz, stole our hearts with hospitable Camba people, sonso straight from the backyard grill and … achachairu! To this day I can not forget the taste of this orange fruit that each year has it’s festival in Porongo. And on the way back to town, we can relax at one of the natural lagoon, surrounded by sandy beaches. Although, the best sand and most beautiful lakes can be found on the dunes Lomas de Arena, on the other side of Santa Cruz, surrounded by greenery of the tropical forest, where you can see, among other things – thesloths! And on the way to Cochabamba you may stop in a lovelyBuena Vistato get some lunch and a cup of great coffee, produced in this region!

After passing through the brathtaking ‘death road’ from Santa Cruz to Cochabamba (no matter in new or old:), seeing the panorama of Cochabamba from the arms of the world’s largest Christ in the world, visiting the estates of the legendary ‘Andean Rockefeller‘ and hiking through the Park Tunari smelling of eucalyptus, it is worth a trip to the colonial town of Tarata, where still very traditional life of Colas (Westernes) can be seen.

Villamontes it’s another little touristy but definately worth visiting destination, located near the border with Argentina. The town itself is the guardian of the memory of theWar of the Chaco and its surroundings is still inhabited by Guarani Indians. And, at only a stone’s throw, or about 8 hours in the car via breathtaking landscape of the canyon Pilcomayo, isTarija – Bolivian capital of wine!

I wouldn’t mind spending few days on theIsland of the Sun, which we visited hastily during our visit to Copacabana. The place is not only beautiful, but has this mysterious energy that simply doesn’t let us forget about it. Or maybe it was a magic of Aymara priest who gave us a blessing? On the way back, stop in beautiful La Paz to do some shopping on the famous Witches’ Market, and in the afternoon go on a trip to the majestic ruins ofTiwanaku!

I spent four days in the constitutional capital of Bolivia but I’m still hungry for more! This beautifully kept colonial city is in fact a haven of peace compared with other major Bolivian cities. And Potosi? Well, this mining town with a rich history, flowing (long ago) with silver, is only 2 hours from Sucre – therefore it can’t be missed!

We visited only two of the historic wooden churches under patronage of UNESCO – San Xavier and San Jose de Chiquitos, but it’s certainly worth spending a week on a tour around all the lovely villages that have retained the original architecture, art and traditions of the best-preserved Jesuit missions in South America.

Toro is a small town inhabited by Quechua Indians (real Tinkus!) where time stopped long ago, and yet escapes like water through the fingers, because as we all know – good things come to an end fast! The village’s surronding is full of wonders – canyons, rock towns, caves and … dinosaur footprints!

It is a strange feeling when our feet first come into contact with a white salty crust. Instead of walking, we involuntarily begin to shuffle with our boots, in a fear of slipping :) What can I say – the world’s largest salt desert is a real natural wonder and it can’t be missed! I intend to return there in the winter time, or Bolivian summer, to see the Salar under the water!

It was here, and not on the Salar de Uyuni, where I felt the real power of Nature. The vast space untouched by humans, with colorful lakes bored by whiteness of salt or borax in which waters long-legged pink flamingos seek food. The bizarre shaped rocks scattered among the desert, volcanoes and geysers – these are just some of the marvels and wonders of this fairytale landscape.

Holy rock in Chochis, mangos straight from the tree in Santiago de Chiquitos, jungle full of surprises, hot riverhidden amidst tropical vegetation, are just some of the attractions of this ‘rich’ in culture and nature region of Chiquitania – my Numero Uno! In fact, I could compare this part of Bolivia to Parque Eduardo Avaroa in Potosi – it’s just more green, humid and hot here (and… less tu touristy;)

As you can see, Bolivia is not only Salar de Uyuni! And, as some might noticed, my list does not include famous tourist destinations like Madidi Park or the original Death Road, but that’s because I didn’t have time / couldn’t see them first hand. They are still, however, on my ‘Bolivian wish list’ (which seems not to have an end :)

And, what are your favorite places in Bolivia that you would like to visit (again)?